1. Cecil Tharp MSU Pesticide Education Specialist Montana State University "It is not my contention that chemicals never be used. I do contend that we have put poisonous and biologically potent chemicals in the hands of persons largely or wholly ignorant of their potential harm" (Rachel Carson, Silent Spring, 1964)

2. All chemicals are unsafe Only alternative methods of pest control. All chemicals safe! Most chemicals are unsafe ( Botanicals maybe ok ). Most chemicals are safe. Some safe and some not safe. -----SAFETY OF PESTICIDES----- ----Pro-environmental----------Pro-chemical------ Never write about a place until you're away from it, because that gives you perspective. - Ernest Hemingway

3. Silverbullet Pesticide 1939 Swiss Chemist Synthesized DDT Paul Humen Muller

5. The father of toxicology, Paracelsus (1493 – 1541), believed the relationship between dose and response to be inseparable. All things are poison! “Two aspirins may remedy a headache, but the whole bottle may be lethal.

6. Anti-chemical agenda commonly delivered by media. Probably due to highly toxic pesticides of the 70’s to early 90’s Media has a strong influence on spreading vague, panic laden propaganda laced with small truths. “According to the Global Healing Center, several studies have shown that pesticides alter the immune system in animals and make them more susceptible to disease.”

7. Not taking into account degradation characteristics.

8. “Highly toxic pesticides raining down on Glacier National Park, MT”

9. DDT and Dieldrin delisted by the EPA in the 60’s and 70’s. DDT Exceeded Human Risk Threshold for subsistence fisherman (eating 19 meals of fish per month) Dieldrin Exceeded Human Risk Threshold for 2.3 meals of fish per month.

10. A pesticide registration takes an average of nine years and costs pesticide manufacturers $152 - $256 million for each crop protection product. EPA requires all pesticides to undergo up to 120 health, safety, and environmental tests as well as a routine comprehensive regulatory review. This information is compiled and approved by EPA Pesticide product labels are the legal document created b y these findings.

11. Variety of occupational, dietary and ecological tests Hazard = Toxicity x Exposure Risk = Exposure x Hazard NOEL = No adverse effect level Acute and Chronic toxicity

12. Caution (Category IV)  You can drink the stuff Table 2. Signal words found on pesticide labels.

13. HerbicideLD 50 Common consumer chemicals LD 50 Paraquat (Gramoxone) ~100Nicotine9 Triclopyr630Caffeine192 2,4-D666Bleach192 Pendimethalin (Prowl) 1050Tylenol338 Atrazine3090 Household ammonia (10%) 350 Glyphosate (Roundup) 4900Codeine427 Imazaquin (Image) >5000Table salt3000 University of Florida (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pi170)

14. Agent Orange Agent White Compound 4:1 mixture of 2,4-D and picloram 1:1 mixture of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T Produces dioxins – carcinogen The National Toxicology Program has classified dioxins as a human carcinogen, frequently associated withcarcinogen soft-tissue sarcomasoft-tissue sarcoma, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma,Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma Hodgkin's diseaseHodgkin's disease and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).chronic lymphocytic leukemia 1896 – 1985!

15. No! Not a replicated study Actual dose unknown Did this contain the inert ingredients Didn’t assess delayed or chronic toxicity 1896 – 1985! Don’t judge a book by it’s cover!

16. Long Term Exposure Many repeated low dose exposures Definition EPA mandates testing for chronic toxicity of: Active ingredients Must classify inert ingredients into 1 of 4 categories Usually on rats This is very expensive Chronic toxicity statements are placed on the product label (carcinogen, mutagen, reproductive damage, etc..)

17. Risk AssessmentsEpidemiological Studies Dose – Response ModelsHind-site investigations No human testingHuman testing Very dose specificNot dose specific Inert ingredients often vaguely categorized Complete formulations and multiple formulations often assessed Forms causal relationshipDifficult to prove cause

18. Certified Pesticide Applicators and Spouses IOWA: 31,877 farmers 21,771 farm spouses 4,916 commercial applicators NORTH CAROLINA 20,518 farmers 10,567 farm spouses Navigate to http://aghealth.nih.gov/

19. Wheezing (airways in lungs are narrowed) associated with… Pesticides (Paraquat, parathion, malathion, chlorpyrifos, atrazine, alachlor, EPTC)

20. Applicators have up to twice the risk of Parkinsons Disease Used pesticides more than 400 days in their lifetime. Strongly associated with paraquat use.

21. All chemicals are unsafe Only alternative methods of pest control. All chemicals safe! Most chemicals are unsafe ( Botanicals maybe ok ). Most chemicals are safe. Some safe and some not safe. -----SAFETY OF PESTICIDES----- ----Pro-environmental----------Pro-chemical------

22. No pesticides are safe or unsafe. Hazard is a product of toxicity and exposure Evaluate toxicity by reading the product label Dose makes the poison; reduce exposure Use buffers next to sensitive areas Protect yourself using PPE Follow REI and PHI Don’t listen to hype! Pesticides are only a part of IPM, but are a necessity to protect our food industry that supports over 6 billion people.

23. MSU Pesticide Safety Education Program Cecil Tharp, Pesticide Education Specialist 406-994-5067 ctharp@montana.edu Web Address: www.pesticides.montana.eduwww.pesticides.montana.edu